Biography

A ‘Last Stand’ might be expected but Ronnie Taheny has never succumbed to cliche. However, she has spent 35 yrs in the industry and the last 25 gallivanting around the globe, dodging bullets and police alike whilst touring. Our self-confessed beach-bum has always returned for summer and graced us at the Gov with an annual 1-off concert before departing once again to her European base.

This year is no different. Except it is. In 2 ways. This year, Taheny celebrates a Golden Anniversary with us at The Gov whilst thanking us for 25yrs of excellent support and loyalty in the best way she knows - by retiring. That’s gratitude for you.

Dodging bullets in Jerusalem, being smuggled into Bosnia, jumping from burning buildings in Antwerp, breaking into the Athens Olympic stadium to do a lap of honour, climbing poles, stealing flags, converting them to costumes and plenty more in the name of “Singer Songwriter on Tour”. For 25 years, these antics have been just another day at the office for Ronnie Taheny who has lived the life of a renegade while taking her music to the world stage.

After 25 years of working with the likes ofDavid Gray, Luka Bloom,Billy Bragg, Ani diFranco, Aimee Mann and Fairport Convention, our diminutive dynamo is finally turning in her passport for a sock drawer and a quick swim. Before the authorities locate her.

Live, Taheny has a cheeky and charismatic stage presence full of roguish charm and boundless energy. These lively shows always come with some amusing anecdotes, acerbic poems or spontaneous one-liners told in Taheny’s inimitably dry and self-deprecating style.

Whether it’s her tall tales all true, dry and wry spoken-words, piano cadenzas or 12 string guitar shreds, Taheny always keeps it sharp and punchy, warm and witty, thought-provoking and human. Razor-sharp observations pummelled into shape with or without music.

From her humble beginnings as Yorke Peninsula’s first altar girl to the Adelaide Chorus’ first female tenor, Ronnie Taheny has a knack of innocently challenging dogma and authority with a smile on her face – as long as there’s fun to be had.

Within a year of relocating to Ireland, Ronnie featured in the prestigiousGalway Arts Festival (1996), found her debut single at #5 in the Irish charts, was chosen by the industry asIreland’s “Best Unsigned Act”followed by a trip to the USA that included showcases inCentral Parkand the legendaryCBGB’s Gallery.

In 2002, she signed withBertlesmann(Germany) to write for a stable of pop artists that resulted in a#2hit across continental Europe - a substantial market of over 400 million radio listeners - and a move that took her career to a whole new level.

Taheny continued to expand her EU career over the next decade before deciding to retire from the European circuit this year. "THE LAST SWIM" SAT FEB 3rd 2018 at the GOV heralds her grande finale and retirement from the stage in general. Better be there!

You can make requests by emailing ronnie@ronnietaheny.com before Dec 8th and she might even heed your wish. Or be content to take whatever she jams down your throat for the last time.

Taheny now uses her considerable energy and DIY music industry knowledge in mentoring and artist-export courses she runs in conjunction with the suddenly expanded Arty Records - Germany. Ireland. Australia. https://artyrecords.com.au

Ronnie is also a lecturer at the Conservatorium of Music at Adelaide Uni and tour-manages. She’s just released her 9th studio album ("START!") too. The rest of her 'spare time' is dedicated to Beach Studies 101. “I’m trying to slow down,” she smirks, “but am always amazed by what can be achieved when you free yourself from the banality of sleep.”